Danceafrica Week In Chicago

September 27, 1991|By Anneke Leurdijk.

DanceAfrica/Chicago Week features more than just dance: The festival, which opens Saturday with an African bazaar at Margate Park (Foster Avenue at Marine Drive), is an eight-day week of African-American events, lectures, demonstrations and even dance classes. But the dancing especially is not to be missed; wrapping up the festival, three performances of African-American dance troupes will be held at the Medinah Temple, starting Thursday.

This is Chicago`s premiere of DanceAfrica, now in its 14th year at home in New York. The theme focuses on looking to one`s African-American rituals and traditions, said Julie Simpson, assistant director of the Dance Center of Columbia College, which is presenting the dance performances. But its success in New York far transcends racial barriers. ``It appeals to everyone of all colors and all ages and all races,`` Simpson said. ``It`s a festival that can gather together every culture here.``